Rob, Ava, Abbey and Isaac Arrowsmith hiked to French Ridge Hut. “We couldn’t have been happier to see the bright red toilet on the ridge after an epic uphill from Aspiring Hut,” said Abbey.

Oscar Bishop went on his first overnight hike, staying with his parents at Slate Hut at Welcome Rock near Queenstown.

Mark, Keith, Caroline, Julia and Sarah laughed in the face of a gale atop Mt Anglem on Rakiura.

David Cushing and David Jones assure us they are on the summit of Taranaki Maunga.

Waipakihi Hut residents were awoken by an excited ‘Kaimanawa komondor’ howling greetings to the new day. (Otherwise known as Felix Hirling having a few laughs.)

Gareth and Sarah Hadden took Teddy and Avey to Holly Hut on Taranaki Maunga to celebrate Teddy’s second birthday. “It marks the start of what will hopefully become an annual birthday tradition,” said Gareth.

Brent Wallace climbed Mt Domett (1942m) in Oteake Conservation Park.

The Gardner family enjoyed walking in the rain on the Tongariro Northern Circuit.

Annabel Diprose and her mum Caroline had a magical weekend tramp to Mystery Lake in Hakatere Conservation Area. “After a stormy Friday night, the skies cleared and it was an absolutely perfect autumn weekend,” they said.

The Brydon family spent four days exploring the 1000 Acre Plateau in Kahurangi National Park. “It was a challenging trip for little legs and even though we enjoyed good weather there was still lots of mud and a bit of moaning,” said mum Kelly.